All I can say is wow. This resort way overcame expectations in every way. The steep lift-accessible terrain way exhilarating and exactly what I came to the rockies for. Lots of medium sized cliffs to jump off with beautiful landings and no worry about rocks underneath the snow since they've got a base of 247cm! The groomers were very well taken care of for my wife who normally skis blues but I boosted her confidence and she really excelled all over the mountain.

After riding Sunshine Village and having to rent a beacon to ride what they call a 'freeride zone' was a joke compared to what Lake Louise has open daily. I'm glad I at least went so I can forward people over to Louise instead! My wife was bored of their short flat runs after two hours. We are off to Kicking Horse to see what they have to offer and I hope it is half as good as Louise and we will be having another amazing day! Thanks for the best three days of skiing we've ever had!

Special mention to the Northface Bistro for a delicious buffet at a great price and the snowmakers that confirmed my directions to the awesome skiing.

Lake Louise Ratings

Access: 3.9

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day &ndash; you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Lake Louise.

Public Transport: 3.8

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Lake Louise, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Scenery: 4.9

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Accommodation: 3.7

(1) No places to stay in/near Lake Louise, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.1

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.5

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Lake Louise.

Ski in/Ski out: 2.7

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.0

(1) There are no child care facilities at Lake Louise, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowsure: 3.5

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Lake Louise is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Snowmaking: 3.8

(1) Lake Louise relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 3.6

(1) There are no snow groomers at Lake Louise, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Lake Louise are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.8

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Lake Louise is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.5

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Lake Louise, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 3.5

(1) Lake Louise usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.2

(1) The staff at Lake Louise are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Lake Louise are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.5

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.3

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.4

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Variety of pistes: 4.7

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Lake Louise has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Beginners: 4.0

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.3

(1) No intermediate terrain at Lake Louise, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.7

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.9

(1) Not even a kicker at Lake Louise, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Off-piste: 4.0

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Cross-country: 4.0

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Lake Louise, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 2.0

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Lake Louise has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 3.6

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 3.3

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.0

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 2.1

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.2

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 3.9

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 3.5

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 3.6

(1) Overall, Lake Louise is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 3.9

(1) Overall, Lake Louise is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Whitehorn Mtn has great terrain but poor lift access on the backside. A Poma and a slow boat triple, really!? A backside lap has two traverses. However, the tree skiing is extensive but not gladed as it is after all a National Park. The main south side runs are skied off promptly but the slack-country is almost never skied out. Deep pow is rare and the temps can be cold but come with blue sky days.
Mind bogglingly beautiful views all 'round you and 360 degree skiing.
I have skied +500days here and love this park as rocky as it can be. 2017/2018 has been an awesome season. If you like fast lifts and short boring runs go to Sunshine which, with the exception of DD, does not compare. Snow is a little better than LL though.

January 19, 2017Gavin Taylor from Australia

We skied Lake Louise for two weeks at the start of January 2017. The temp was never above -18c during the day which was very chilly but the snow condition was great. It is a big mountain with great vertical and long runs. The back side has some excellent Double Black runs and if you like that then there is plenty to keep you interested. If you are and advanced skier there are plenty of runs and terrain to keep you adrenaline pumping. We found the mountain to be very uncrowded; ski down and straight up, no lines. Good time of the year to get here. Great place. We will be back.

April 09, 2015Paul from United Kingdom

We had a fantastic powder day on Monday; much needed this April but what an awesome day it was with our friends out of Calgary for the day.
Went back for a glorious sunshine day on Wednesday; could see more of where we were skiing and the views were just amazing.

March 31, 2015John from Canmore from Canada

Lake Louise is big and great for everyone, but not everyone makes the most of their visit.

The front runs are long. If it's not crowded and there is fresh snow and it hasn't been too warm these are legendary, with beautiful pitch and fantastic views. Unfortunately, a lot of the time they are crowded and icy, especially on weekends, or if the spring sun has been beating them down.

The Larch area can also be fantastic, but the last several times I've been to Lake Louise Larch has been scrapy moguls, same problem as the front side: too many people and too much sun.

So, stay high. And if you can handle the steep back bowls stay on them as much as possible. When the winds are right they deposit snow into the bowls. If you can't handle the black runs, there are intermediate runs on the back that should work for you.

Go high, stay high if it's warm, focus on the backside if it's been windy, and you'll have a great time.

Any tourist visiting Alberta should ski Sunshine Village one day and Lake Louise another day. They are two quite different experiences. Ask for advice from a local, or take a free tour, so you don't end up in the icy moguls at Lake Louise or on the flat boring bits at Sunshine Village.

January 17, 2015Elliot from Canada

Lake Louise is a fantastic resort offering a huge variety of terrain for beginner through to advanced mad-man. For me it is the best resort in Alberta and very drivable from Calgary for a day trip.

February 28, 2014Larry from Canada

I've only ever skied Louise mid week, hence never a lift line that lasted more than 3 minutes. The best thing about the place though is that mid week, all you will find are touristy types that tend to stick to the groomed/marked runs. Boot deep snow on the first day of the trip. 3 days later still found fresh tracks in the bowls and the trees. Terrain is superb.

February 22, 2014Peter from United States

Lake Louise is the best resort I have ever been to. There are minimal crowds and the snowboarding is unmatched. If you are considering coming to Lake Louise, without a question choose Lake Louise.

November 15, 2013Mike from Canada

Lake Louise is terrible. Enough said.

November 01, 2013Rob Filyk from Canada

This isn't going to be short so just listen up.
Put LL on your bucket list but allow yourself at least 2-3 days to fully take it in. I love this area- all of it: Mount Whitehorn, the backside, the Summit and the Eagle area on the frontside. Chair 11 on Larch, Paradise Bowl and ER3, Outer Limits and Whitehorn 1 thru whatever.
I love the vibe of the place, and the international flavour, and the best views of any mountain anywhere.
Yes, the crowds can descend on the area at peak holiday times and on some weekends, but usually if you get out there a little early and get over to the backside or ski up top on the front it's not a problem. You can get in several epic powder runs on a snow day before most people have finished breakfast.

Where else do Grizzly Bears inhabit an area year round, yet lay undisturbed maybe 200 meters from where you can find an untracked line. No-one is paying me to write this, as I am just a fanatical local skier like thousands of others that appreciate the thrill of steep terrain and Rocky Mountain powder.

Excellent ski patrol, exceptional avalanche experts and great grooming here too if you just want high-speed or relaxed cruising.

I have been skiing here for 40 years and will do so until I can no longer stand. This mountain will thrill the average day tripper, and surprise the hard-core free-skier. Just when you think you've skied every line one could open up, even for just a few hours, like ER3 did for a few hours until choke points were sketchy after major fresh last year. It will and can blow your mind- whether you ride or ski.
Amazing and unique and thrilling with lots of slack country and hidden routes if you explore and get adventurous in-bounds. Recent glading on Ptarmigan and Paradise has opened more lines to extend the powder window on a snow day as well.
Like many epic areas in AB and BC, terrain that isn't even marked here would be roped off in other places, so do proceed with caution unless you know what you are dealing with below, especially on the extreme terrain. Very, very legit with cliffs and drops and chutes in many places.

Obviously, it's Nov and I am looking forward to another great season. All I can tell you is that you should visit this area but take it in with an explorer's frame of mind and you will just revel in the beauty, and the thrill of it all.